COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Derby:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Sussex 371-8
Sussex 4pts, Derbys 2pts
Match scorecard

Martin-Jenkins leads the batting averages for Sussex this season

Robin Martin-Jenkins and Murray Goodwin scored centuries to get Sussex out of trouble on the opening day of their Championship match with Derbyshire.

Sussex were 126-6 as Tom Lungley (3-71) took the wickets of Sussex's top three for single figure scores.

But Goodwin, who was dropped on 15, made 121 and Martin-Jenkins 130, as the pair shared a stand of 225, Sussex's highest ever against Derbyshire.

Steffan Jones (2-51) took the wickets of both centurions.

Sussex closed 29 runs shy of maximum batting bonus points, but it was a score that looked a long way off when Lungley sliced through the top order after Sussex had elected to bat on a sultry day when there was movement and bounce for the bowlers.

Michael Yardy (8) drove too soon to be caught at mid-off, Chris Nash (5) played on and Ed Joyce (9) was smartly taken at second slip by Chesney Hughes.

606: DEBATE The two players, who have got us out of the mire, are both approaching the end of their careers PompeyMeowth

Derbyshire were well on top in the first session when Michael Thornely (8) edged a drive at Mark Footitt (2-38) and was caught behind.

Luke Wright was bowled for 20 leaving a ball from Robin Peterson (1-63) and when Ben Brown (5) bottom edged a pull into his stumps, Sussex were still well short of a batting point.

But that proved to be Derbyshire's last success until deep into the last session as Goodwin and Martin-Jenkins played with increasing freedom against bowling that strayed too often in line and length.

Goodwin's 15th four took him to three figures and a 16th four from Martin-Jenkins brought him his hundred off only 124 balls.

Jones finally broke through three overs later when Goodwin edged a drive into his leg stump after batting a minute short of five hours for 121.

Martin-Jenkins was dropped at backward point off Jones on 128 but added only two more before he was caught in the same position off the Welsh paceman.

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